http://irwin.com/irwin/consumer/jhtml/visegrip/locking/locking.jhtml#featuressays their handcrafted in USA
you may have got a counterfeit imitation. years ago I had a set of Craftsmen adjustable wrenches, Made in USA, someone swapped them out for a set that was made in China, the only difference was the lettering was raised on one set and indented on the other, along with where they were made, and the quality.